Manufacturing of tokens for token operated distributing machines



.L glpdv Oct. 25, 1960 MANUFACTURING OF TOKENS FOR TOKEN OPERATED H. WHlTEFlELD ET AL 2,957,258

DISTRIBUTING MACHINES Filed May 6, 1957 IN V EN TORS 235 1 fi i nzrzzzn 19177510 fls lfizvizzm 5 v m J M MANUFACTURING F TGKENS FOR TOKEN OPERATED DISTRIBUTING MACHINES Harry Whitefield, 31 Via Cordero di Pamparato, and Attilio Chiantelassa, 100 Corso Ferrucci, both of Turin,

This invention relates to token-operated distributing apparatuses and it has for an object a security token for said apparatuses of a type which is very dificult to counterfeit.

It is Well known that one of the worst drawbacks in the distributing devices of said kind, especially when the delivered goods have a certain intrinsic value, consists in the possibility that some ill-minded person may counterfeit them; nor, to avoid this, is it of any value to impart to them some particular grooves or of using for their manufacture some special material which is apt to impart to them a well defined Weight, and so on.

The security token according to the present invention is characterised by the fact that it is built in such a way as to present different weights at the ends of one of the principal axes.

Therefore, the idea of getting the action of the token to depend on a difierential Weight of the token itself, makes extremely difficult the feasibility of counterfeiting them. This is true for the reasons that it is not easy to discover this peculiarity of the token itself, and because it is practically impossible to get a token which is exactly equal to that built by the manufacturing firm.

The invention can be better understood by the following description of an exemplary, and by no means limitative, preferred embodiment of the token in question, said description being made with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows, in perspective view, the two main parts of which the aforesaid token is composed, and

Figure 2 illustrates, also in perspective View, the completed token.

With reference to these figures, the token according to the present invention is composed of two elements 1 and 2, each of them being provided, on the external side, with grooves respectively marked by numerals 3 and 4.

The element 2 is provided with a recessed portion 5, whereas the element 1 is built in such a way to fit exactly within the said recessed portion or zone of element 2.

Patented Oct. 25, 1960 Once the fitting has been effected, the two parts will be in any way fixed together and the token will be treated in such manner that the separation lines b dont become perceptible from outside.

The elements 1 and 2 are made of difierent or identical materials, provided that the two elements themselves have different or variable specific gravities along the longitudinal axis relative to which the weighing will be effected.

It is, therefore, apparent that, if the token is weighed by two weight-sensitive devices on which points A and B of the median longitudinal axis X-X are placed, they will present or sense two different weights. Only when the two weights sensed are the predeterminedly proper ones will there be emitted from apparatus connected with the weight-sensitive device the control pulse needed in order to get the dispensing machine to function.

It is obvious that the invention doesnt limit itself to the described embodiment and that very many other ways exist, according to which this difierential weight can be realized, always within the scope of the invention.

Thus, for instance, the token can be composed of a single unit, by having recourse to die casting, wherein the casting is different at the two ends of the token, in such way to get a variable weight along the longitudinal median axis; or the various elements or the single element can be provided with difierent holes, which are then outside coated by means of a suitable treatment or coating, so that the desired results can be achieved. What is important is that, in any way, the token will present when completed different weights at the ends of one of the principal longitudinal axes.

What we claim is:

1. A token adapted to actuate dispensing apparatus by being weighed therein, comprising a first mass of irregular shape and a second mass of mating irregular shape and of difierent specific gravity than said first mass, the center of gravity of said token being spaced from the geometrical center thereof.

2. The token of claim 1, said token being in the shape of a regular solid.

3. The token of claim 1, said token being in the shape of a parallelepiped.

4. The token of claim 1, said token having the appearance of being homogeneous.

5. The token of claim 1, said masses both being metallic.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 632,938 Greenburg Sept. 12, 1899 1,872,110 Brand Aug. 16, 1932 2,774,060 Thompson Dec. 11, 1956 

